In the first reading Jeremiah writes: “The Word of the Lord came to me saying: Before I formed you…I knew you…” “…as though I would leave you…” “…I am with you… to deliver you…” There seems to be a slight tone of urgency as if the Lord was desperately trying to convince (Who me?) of God’s love, constancy.
In the psalm we hear the writer’s response: “In you, O Lord, I take refuge…” “In your justice rescue me…save me…” “You are my hope, O Lord…” “On you I depend…” “…I proclaim your wondrous deeds.” I might add, “I relay on your mercy, O Lord.” In this reading we hear an undertone of desperation. A plea not to be abandoned. Possible it all sounds too good to be true. Doubt arises.
In the second reading from 1 Corinthians we hear one of the loveliest and most repeated readings of the bible. Paul proclaims in clear and simple language the essence of Love. Paul tells us what Love is and what it is not. “Love is patient…kind…bears… hopes… endures…and rejoices with the truth.” “Love never fails.” “Love is not jealous…pompous…inflated…rude…quick-tempered” Paul ends by saying, “…the greatest of these three (faith, hope, love) is love.” “…but (if I, Paul) do not have love, I gain (am) nothing.”
In a word, Love is what is being spoken about in Jeremiah and in the psalm.
We, the Lord and I, are entwined in a love relationship beyond my understanding. I can’t conceive of such a relationship. I am sustained in the Lord’s loving desire for me and in my humanity I struggle and yearn to live into the fullness of the Lord’s love for me.
Today’s reading from the gospel of Luke follows Jesus’ return from 40 days in the dissert and 3 significant temptations to renounce his relationship with Yewah, his Father. Jesus in his humanity suffered the pain of these temptations, but was faithful to his Father. On his return he was “…filled with the powers of the Spirit…” and began to “teach in the synagogues and was praised by everyone.” Except not everyone. Not his own people. Not the people of Nazareth. Not after he proclaimed he was the fulfillment of the words of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…anointed me to bring good news…sent me to proclaim…(to) recover (cure)….(to) free…, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Jesus’ friends and family doubted that he could possibly be the fulfillment of scripture. Doubted that he could be the incarnation of the relationship that the Lord had spoken about in Jeremiah. How could Jesus, the boy they all knew, the man Jesus “…Joseph’s (the carpenter) son…” be the fulfillment of Isaiah? They may have thought: We know him. This is very doubtful. This is blasphemy. Luke goes on to speak of Hebrew scriptural events equally unbelievable, doubtful and unexplainable.
“…they were filled with fury. They rose up, drove him (Jesus) out of town…to hurl him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst…and went away.”
This is not the end of the story. We know that Jesus did not stay “away”. We know that Jesus returned again and again to those in doubt, those in pain, those hurting, to the seekers and the self-proclaimed unbelievers. As the Lord committed – the Lord knows me, whatever I may think about myself, the Lord will not leave me. I have been promised the refuge, peace, constancy and mercy of the Lord.
Today’s Good News: Jesus does not return. Jesus Is. The Lord never abandons. Never. The Lord is constant. Seeker, doubter or unbeliever, I am loved beyond all understanding. This I know – I am worthy of the Lord’s love and mercy not in spite of who I am, but because of who I am. How do I know?
“the bible tells me so…”
Amen
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
